News Release

For Release: Sept. 28, 2006
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-06-93

BLM Assists Lake City in Beefing Up Fire Protection

Fire fighters in the Surprise Valley community of Lake City have a new weapon in their fire protection arsenal, with the addition of a quick attack fire truck acquired through the Bureau of Land Management's rural fire assistance grant program.

Lake City Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Erquiaga accepted keys to the fire engine from BLM State Director Mike Pool during Pool's visit to Surprise Valley last week.

The four-wheel-drive, one-ton truck carries a 200-gallon water tank, a pump and foam unit. It can tackle Surprise Valley's rugged terrain and slog through the mud and snow that face fire responders during the valley's tough winters.

The truck, formerly used in the BLM's fire prevention and patrol program, is valued at $15,000, said Garth Jeffers, fire management officer for the BLM Surprise Field Office in Cedarville.

“The fire department used a $12,600 rural fire assistance grant and raised the additional money to pay for the engine,” Jeffers said.

“The fire department identified the need for a quick attack engine several years ago. We worked with the department and determined that this prevention rig would meet its needs. The engine will be effective at fighting fires in the urban interface, where homes are situated in a wildland setting,” Jeffers added.

While they are the primary responders for emergencies in their own community, Lake City fire fighters also assist the BLM and other Surprise Valley fire departments on incidents throughout the valley.

-BLM-

(Editors: A high-resolution photo to accompany this story can be downloaded from: ftp://ftp.blm.gov/blmincoming/CA/ . It is titled “enginedonation.”)

Northern California Public Affairs 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130